John Terry and Anton Ferdinand could each face disrepute charges from the Football Association when it assesses the evidence that was disclosed during the court trial that found the Chelsea captain not guilty of racially abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender last October.

The FA's brief differs to that of the legal process in that it has responsibility for the day-to-day disciplinary process regarding players. The ruling body will now resume the investigation being pursued following the incident, which was halted when the Terry-Ferdinand case became a matter for Westminster magistrates' court.

A disrepute charge for Terry and Ferdinand regarding the language they admitted using during QPR's 1-0 defeat of Chelsea at Loftus Road is one possible outcome from the FA's inquiry. Terry could also still potentially be charged with a racially aggravated offence. Yet while it is difficult to second-guess the governing body's independent commission, it is understood that as a court of law found Terry not guilty of the charge there may be difficulty in the FA finding he still has a case to answer. No decision regarding what course of action it will take is expected before the end of next week at the earliest.

The players admitted to an exchange studded with offensive terms including "cunt", "fuck off" and "knobhead", plus derogatory personal comments, with Ferdinand referring to claims Terry had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the former partner of his ex-team-mate Wayne Bridge.

One of the FA statutes deals with foul and abusive language and the governing body will also be concerned about the damage done to its Respect campaign for which Terry, as the then England captain, would have been expected to show support and leadership.

While Bruce Buck, the Chelsea chairman, confirmed that Terry is free to focus on his career at Stamford Bridge – and it is understood he will face no club inquiry – a statement from the governing body read: "The FA notes the decision in the John Terry case and will now seek to conclude its own inquiries. The FA will make no further comment at this time."

The Professional Footballers' Association voiced its disquiet that two of its more prominent members have caused serious damage to their profession. Gordon Taylor, the chief executive, said: "You have to respect what has happened in court and there has been a judgment made but it has not been the best of weeks for football. It has been an unedifying process and the game has been damaged as a result of the dirty linen being washed in public.

"I now want to see an improvement in the Respect campaign. It is not just the line between what is banter and what is illegal – so much of what we have heard this week needs to be cut out."

Taylor is, though, unsure whether Terry will face a racial abuse charge from the FA. "Football has shown that it has been quick to deal with such issues and move on, and needing a lower burden of proof [than court] puts the FA in a difficult position now. Some people may say we should draw a line under it and really reinforce the campaign at the start of the new season but at the same time we must not sweep it under the carpet and say everything is fine when it's not."

Buck said: "Chelsea Football Club notes and, of course, we respect the decision of the magistrate today. We are pleased that John can now put his mind to football and go back to training and do what he's done for many years."